MINIATURE TEDDY BEARS MADE BY KATHY CORLEY

Living with teddy bears

December 19, 2020

We used to collect teddy bears, Doug especially (I was usually in the background, wringing my hands and worrying about his spending habits). When we lived in Los Gatos (CA), we would visit Bears in the Wood, a wonder filled store owned by Howard and Janee McKinney and devoted entirely to teddy bears. These two wee ones (3” and 2” tall, when seated), which we purchased in the mid-1980s, were made by Kathy Corley. They are so tiny and the workmanship is amazing. As someone who sews, I really appreciate the skill that went into making these bears.

We first met Howard and Janee when we were on our honeymoon in June 1980. When we got home from the honeymoon, we turned around and went back, bought a house and lived in Los Gatos for ten years. Howard and Janee were the definition of “fun-loving” and their friendship meant a lot. I think we all moved away around the same time. They have lived in the Florida Keys for the last thirty years, as owners of a fabulous fishing and safari travel business called Fishabout.

Our friendship became a Christmas cards once a year kind of thing, although Facebook has enabled us to be in touch more often and to enjoy the goings on in each others lives. The other day we had a very fun phone call - the kind where you talk and talk and catch up and no matter how long it’s been since the last time you’ve communicated, you just pick up as though you’ve never been separated.

Big Hands ... Tiny Art

May 14, 2016

Today is the day, finally! Doug’s first-ever show of his teeny-tiny cut paper art is on display at the Mark Twain Library in Redding and today is the opening reception.

I’m just going to share a few photos here, along with excerpts from the lovely news article, written by Maggie McIntire.

Standing at 6’4, Doug Crites-Moore nearly fills the doorway when he enters a room, yet his passion is sitting at his dining room table for hours on end, creating whimsical paper sculptures that stand about an inch tall.

Nearly 40 of Crites-Moore’s intricate works are now on display at the Mark Twain Library. Crites-Moore, a longtime Redding resident, will give a gallery talk and share the process and inspiration behind his work on Saturday, May 14 at 3 p.m.

TINY WOVEN PAPER SHOE :: ONE INCH LONG BY HALF INCH WIDE

For as long as he can remember, Crites-Moore said he had a fascination with “tiny things.” He made his first paper sculpture, a stereo console cabinet, when he just 10 years old, growing up in Oregon.

“It’s hard to explain. I’ve just always had an interest in making really tiny things. It’s in my DNA,” said Crites-Moore, a retired Senior Marketing Manager at IBM. “For me, it’s Zen – total peace. When I’m making these things, it’s the closest thing to being in my heart.”

CHRISTMAS TREE WITH TRAIN ON TRACK AROUND THE BASE :: THREE INCHES TALL

The tools he uses include water color paper, dental implements, tiny scissors, X-Acto knives, blades, little clamps and tacky glue. He often creates the sculptures to give away as gifts, or to celebrate holidays. Crites-Moore said some creations take just a couple hours, and others have to be assembled in stages over the course of several days. One of his favorite works is a gift he made for his daughter, Adeline, a Noah’s Ark that stands just an inch and half tall – with miniature Noah and his wife standing on deck, tiny birds flying overhead and four pairs of animals marching aboard.

ADELINE’S ARK :: ABOUT TWO INCHES TALL AT ITS TALLEST POINT

Crites-Moore said his wife Morna, has encouraged him to follow his passion for turning plain white paper into works of art.

“She has always seen that I’ve had this thing, this passion… she encourages me all the time, ’’ Crites-Moore said.

In case you’re wondering, I am 5’ 1" tall. I used to be 5’ 4" tall - and I thought that was short. It’s a good thing Doug likes tiny things, although I’m only tiny in the vertical.